How long does Kombucha last?
Kombucha lasts ~1 month in the fridge. Spoilage signs to check, storage tips, and cited food-safety sources.
Quick answer
Can I still eat it?
Use this as a conservative screen before you rely on the storage window. If anything seems unsafe, discard it.
Kombucha is within the fridge window if it stayed cold/dry as required and shows no discard signs.
Sealed / unopened: 6 months (sealed)
Signs Kombucha has gone bad
- Fuzzy mold or unusual colored film (not normal SCOBY strands).
- Putrid or rotten smell beyond normal vinegar tang.
- Leaking or compromised bottle.
Still good if
- Dark brown SCOBY chunks or stringy bits floating in the bottle — strain them out if desired; the live culture is not contamination.
- Sharper vinegar tang and extra fizz after refrigeration — normal continued fermentation if there is no mold or putrid smell.
Discard immediately if
- Fuzzy mold (not normal SCOBY strands or stringy culture bits)
- Putrid, rotten, or moldy smell — not the normal vinegar/acid tang
- Curdled texture with an abnormal smell, or a damaged/leaking bottle
Why guidance varies
Kombucha contains live cultures that can continue fermenting. Refrigeration, sugar level, carbonation, and whether the bottle was opened affect its flavor and pressure.
Get a heads-up before it expires. Search the full database instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kombucha last?
In the fridge: ~1 month. Sealed / unopened: 6 months (sealed). Active cultures continue fermenting and often taste more vinegary over time — that is normal. Refrigerate after opening to slow fermentation. More fizz is common; discard for mold, putrid odor, or a damaged bottle, not for normal sourness.
How can you tell if Kombucha has gone bad?
Signs that Kombucha has gone bad: Fuzzy mold or unusual colored film (not normal SCOBY strands); Putrid or rotten smell beyond normal vinegar tang; Leaking or compromised bottle. Still good if: Dark brown SCOBY chunks or stringy bits floating in the bottle — strain them out if desired; the live culture is not contamination; Sharper vinegar tang and extra fizz after refrigeration — normal continued fermentation if there is no mold or putrid smell.
What does the date label on Kombucha mean?
Kombucha usually carries a "Best By" date. A quality marker — the product is at peak quality before this date, but it’s safe to eat afterward if stored correctly. See our date-labels guide for the full breakdown.
Sources for this answer
- A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Store perishable/opened products per product type; sensory discard for spoilage (mold, abnormal odor).
- A USDA FSIS — Molds on Food — Discard moldy high-moisture foods; mold indicates spoilage not normal fermentation culture.